It has been known for quite some time that BMW officially instructs service personel to update the DME engine software when performing the timing chain SIMs. At first I thought that is BS and only installed the -551 tensioner, but I finally got the opportunity to update my car (early 07) to the latest software stand using WinKFP.

I can't tell with certainty whether it is the software or the better-getting weather, but the infrequent times I did hear the rattle are now gone. One of the things they did change, is that a pump of some kind now operates louder (harder?) than before when starting the car.

I can also attest to driveability improvements, most probably due to changes in the automatic gearbox shifting patterns: i.e. it allows the engine to go down to 1200rpm before changing gear on deceleration.

So I highly recommend those who haven't done so, do get the latest software for their vehicles.

 

The Vacuum Pump is the component you are thinking is operating louder, which it is not, they have always been loud and is/was one of the top complaints from n14 owners when they first bought their MINI's. Oh and it has been a standard per BMWNA & MINIUSA that you perform a vehicle encoding and update required modules after performing a timing chain replacement since late 2010 (it just requires less hoops to jump through to do so). Now are all technicians actually doing it after performing the repair...thats another bag of shat I do not want to open. Lets just say, programming your car pays very little to the tech, requires him or her to play time shuffle, and in some instances if the tech is not careful or only does the bare minimum can cause more issues then it resolves.

Glad though that your latest update to your DME in your 07 is making your butt dyno and overall driveability interpretation more enjoyable.